Your stay — Sun View
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The Property — Sun View
Sun View is a no-fuss 3-star perched on Asramam Link Road, offering decent views of the backwaters from its upper floors. The lobby is compact and practical, with tired but clean furnishings, and the staff are efficient rather than effusive. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a functional base near the ferry terminal and aren't fussed about frills.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam (formerly Quilon) was a major spice-trading port on the Malabar Coast, mentioned by Marco Polo and frequented by Chinese and Arab merchants from the 9th century. Its harbour declined after the 14th century, but the modern city grew around the cashew nut processing industry. British-era buildings like the Bishop’s House and the old railway station (1875) still dot the centre. Today, Kollam is quieter than Kochi, known for its backwater houseboat tourism and the annual Ashtamudi Lake regatta.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
December to February: dry, sunny, and cool evenings; the backwaters are calm and the city isn't swamped. March is also fine but warmer.
Peak / festival surge
December-January (winter peak) and April (holidays). Hotel rates double; advance booking essential. The Kollam Pooram festival in April draws huge crowds.
Budget shoulder season
February is the sweet spot – still good weather but rates drop. October-November (post-monsoon) can be cheap but some rain lingers.
Weather & packing
Kollam gets heavy rain from June to September; even in July expect daily downpours. Pack a rain jacket and waterproof shoes, plus light cotton clothes for humid heat between showers.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- The Kollam-KSRTC bus stand is being renovated; expect detours and longer waits for local buses until late 2026.
- New backwater ferry routes to Alappuzla launched in March 2026 – cheaper than houseboats, but arrive early as seats fill fast.
- The Kollam Municipal Corporation has banned single-use plastics from June 2026; carry a reusable water bottle.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Sun View, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the courtyard (if available) — quieter, less street noise from Kollam's busy roads, and more stable WiFi signal than lower floors.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms directly above the main entrance on the 1st floor — suffer from street traffic, honking, and lobby chatter. Also skip rooms at the back near the service lift (often noisy from early housekeeping).
Best views
Upper-floor rooms facing the Ashtamudi Lake side offer rare water glimpses; standard street-side rooms see local shops and auto-rickshaws. No guaranteed view unless specified at booking.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors — far enough from street- and lobby-level noise, and above the ground-floor restaurant's kitchen exhaust.
🔊 Noise notes
Kollam's main road carries honking and truck traffic from early morning until late evening — especially during festival seasons (boat race, Onam). The hotel's ground-floor restaurant also generates noise until 10pm on weekends.
Insider tips
1) Book a courtyard-facing room if you can — it's markedly quieter. Call the hotel directly and ask for 'a quiet room on the 3rd or 4th floor, inner side'. 2) Parking is limited to 4-5 cars in front; arrive before 6pm or use the nearby public lot (50m south on the main road).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Sun View
Free basic 2 Mbps for all guests; premium 10 Mbps available at INR 200 per day. Password given at check-in, no login portal
Single lift serves ground and upper three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital editions of The Hindu and Indian Express via PressReader; single physical copy at lobby desk
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 08:00 without charge. Late check-out until 18:00 costs INR 500, subject to availability
Free storage at reception; no lockers
Ramp at main entrance; no lift to restaurant (one step) – assistance provided. No wheelchair-accessible rooms
On-site open lot for 12 cars, free for guests. Nearest public car park: Kollam Municipal Parking on Kadappakada Road (INR 50 per night). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 5% luxury tax on room rate per night, collected at checkout
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required via credit card at booking; INR 1,000 incidental hold on check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Balimandapam (741 m · ~9 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Valiyaveetil Devi (999 m · ~12 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Hanuman Swamy Temple (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Janardhana temple (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Varkala Children's Park — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Kurikani junction — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
cultural center — 662 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Catholic Syrian Bank ATM — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Kairali Ayurveda Pharmacy — 437 m · ~5 min walk
Mohan's — 77 m · ~1 min walk
Bus Terminal Varkala — 2.5 km · ~32 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Travellers typically change money at Kollam railway station area or at local banks like SBI; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges — they give poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; small shops and auto-rickshaws prefer cash; mobile pay via Google Pay/PhonePe is common.
Restaurants: 5-10% if no service charge; taxis: rounding up is fine; hotel staff: 20-50 rupees for luggage or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a local tea stall or small eatery: around 10-20 rupees.
A thali or rice meal at a simple lunch place: around 50-80 rupees.
A main course like fish curry with rice at a basic dining hall: around 80-120 rupees.
Main road around Kollam Junction and near the ferry terminal have stalls with parippu vada (lentil fritters) and chai — cheap and filling.
Reliance Fresh, More, or local 'ration shops' are common for basic groceries.
Kollam's main market areas sell affordable cotton clothes and local handloom; try the Kollam Beach Road market for budget options.
Local bus: about 10 rupees for short rides; auto-rickshaw with meter for longer trips. From Trivandrum airport (about 75 km), take a KSRTC bus to Kollam for about 100-150 rupees.
Eat at local toddy shops or non-AC eateries for authentic food at half the price of tourist spots. Use shared autorickshaws for very short hops (rare but cheaper). Buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets, not hotels.
Good to know — Kollam
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.72 · INR
Emergency Contacts
Kollam+91 0474 279 1111 (Kollam District Collector's Office)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kollam, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Sun View
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Catholic Syrian Bank ATM — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Kairali Ayurveda Pharmacy — 437 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Railway Station
💡 Use the Indian Railways app to book tickets and check schedules
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Bus Station
💡 Use the KSRTC app to book tickets and check schedules
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Town
💡 Agree on the fare before starting your journey
Taiba Hostel → Kollam International Airport (CCJ)
💡 Book in advance to avoid higher rates during peak hours
About Kollam
Wikipedia ↗
Kollam (Malayalam: [kolːɐm] ;), is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and is 71 kilometres (44 mi) northwest of the Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam is...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Sun View?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the courtyard (if available) — quieter, less street noise from Kollam's busy roads, and more stable WiFi signal than lower floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Sun View?
Rooms directly above the main entrance on the 1st floor — suffer from street traffic, honking, and lobby chatter. Also skip rooms at the back near the service lift (often noisy from early housekeeping).
Is Sun View noisy?
Kollam's main road carries honking and truck traffic from early morning until late evening — especially during festival seasons (boat race, Onam). The hotel's ground-floor restaurant also generates noise until 10pm on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Sun View?
Upper-floor rooms facing the Ashtamudi Lake side offer rare water glimpses; standard street-side rooms see local shops and auto-rickshaws. No guaranteed view unless specified at booking.
What are insider tips for staying at Sun View?
1) Book a courtyard-facing room if you can — it's markedly quieter. Call the hotel directly and ask for 'a quiet room on the 3rd or 4th floor, inner side'. 2) Parking is limited to 4-5 cars in front; arrive before 6pm or use the nearby public lot (50m south on the main road).
What time is check-in at Sun View?
Check-in at Sun View is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Sun View have Wi-Fi?
Free basic 2 Mbps for all guests; premium 10 Mbps available at INR 200 per day. Password given at check-in, no login portal
Is there a city or tourist tax at Sun View?
5% luxury tax on room rate per night, collected at checkout
Where can I eat cheaply near Sun View?
A thali or rice meal at a simple lunch place: around 50-80 rupees.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Sun View?
Local bus: about 10 rupees for short rides; auto-rickshaw with meter for longer trips. From Trivandrum airport (about 75 km), take a KSRTC bus to Kollam for about 100-150 rupees.
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
December to February: dry, sunny, and cool evenings; the backwaters are calm and the city isn't swamped. March is also fine but warmer.
Top Attractions in Kollam
💡 Avoid visiting during the monsoon season when the beach can get rough.
💡 Be respectful of the temple's rules and dress modestly.
💡 Best viewed during sunrise or sunset for optimal photography.
💡 Best visited with a local guide for added context and insights.